Vintage DD turntables. Are we living dangerously?


I have just acquired a 32 year old JVC/Victor TT-101 DD turntable after having its lesser brother, the TT-81 for the last year.
TT-101
This is one of the great DD designs made at a time when the giant Japanese electronics companies like Technics, Denon, JVC/Victor and Pioneer could pour millions of dollars into 'flagship' models to 'enhance' their lower range models which often sold in the millions.
Because of their complexity however.......if they malfunction.....parts are 'unobtanium'....and they often cannot be repaired.
128x128halcro
All these leather mats are designed to be used with heavy record weights.
Use of them without weights is not creating a solid bond and also allows the lightweight mats to move against the platter....
A heavy weight will only create a solid bond in the center label area of the record, maybe slightly further. I think a clamp would be as affective preventing movement of both record and mat.

A reflex or periphery clamp should be more affective coupling the music part of the record. I haven't yet located the felt washer.

I suspect a leather mat is a bad idea. The compliant surface under the record seems to be the problem. The record needs to be supported in such a way that allows no movement of the groove.
A heavy weight will only create a solid bond in the center label area of the record, maybe slightly further. I think a clamp would be as affective preventing movement of both record and mat.
It's intriguing that people would rather theorise or speculate when the cost of actually trying and listening can be so minimal...👀❓
Halcro,
How thick is your pigskin mat?
Do tell, your formula for success. How heavy is the weight?

How can someone duplicate your results if the methodology is unknown?
Is a weight more affective than a clamp, and is Mike Tyson your hero?

Regards,
Henry, Your point is well taken in general, but in this case I believe Fleib wrote only a few posts above your last one that he did purchase a leather mat and did try it, albeit his was made of deer hyde.